Handle with rest therefor



May 12, 1964 K. J. ADAMS HANDLE WITH REST THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. 27, 1961 Fig.3

Kathryn J Adams INVENTOR. 0013'.

May 12, 1964 K. J. ADAMS HANDLE WITH REST THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Oct. 27, 1961 Fig6 Fig 5 Kathryn J Adams 1N VENTOR M. Wong 8MUnited States Patent HANDLE WITH REST THEREFOR Kathryn J. Adams, 945Jefferson Ave., Defiance, Ohio Filed Oct. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 148,217Claims. (Cl. 248-359) The present invention generally relates to ahandle construction and more particularly to an enlongated handle forvarious devices such as mops for example having means incorporatedtherein for supporting the handle in an inclined position relative to ahorizontal floor surface or the like when the handle is not beingemployed.

Basically, the present invention involves a construction incorporating anovel structural means adjacent the central portion of an elongatedhandle for supporting the central portion of such a handle so that thehandle may rest on the ground or floor or Wherever the person .using theimplement to which the handle is attached may desire to rest the handle.

When using various implements having elongated handles thereon, it isusually necessary to lay the implement aside for short intervals of timewhile other duties are being performed. For example, a mop handle, broomhandle and the like are quite a problem when it is desired totemporarily perform other duties. If the handle is propped against anobject or against a wall, it is quite prone to slide along the surfaceof such object or wall and ultimately falling to the ground or floor.This requires that the person using the implement bend completely overto retrieve the handle, and it also Will cause other undesirableeffects. For example, if a mop is disposed in a bucket or othercontainer of Water, the weight of the handle sometimes will tip thebucket and spill the water. Therefore, it is the primary object of thepresent invention to provide a rest for such an elongated handle wherebythe handle will be supported from the mid portion thereof thus retainingthe handle in position for easy access by the person using theimplement.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a pivotalconnection centrally of the handle together with manually operated meansfor releasing the pivotal connection so that it may enable the twoportions of the handles to swing into angular relation to each other,the pivotal connection including rigid means for locking the portions ofthe handle in alignment when using the implement normally.

Another embodiment of the implement involves the use of a prop memberpivotally attached to the central portion of an elongated handle fornormal orientation alongside of the handle during normal use of theimplement but being capable of orientation in perpendicular relation tothe handle for supporting the handle from a supporting surface such asthe floor.

In each embodiment of the invention it is an object of the invention toprovide a non-slip foot having considerable lateral dimension to providesubstantial lateral support to the handle and to prevent slippage of thesupporting foot.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a handleassembly having many uses and which is simple in construction, easy touse, effective for its particular purposes and generally inexpensive tomanufacture and maintain. 7

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a mop illustrating the construction ofthe handle assembly of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially along a longitudinal center line of the mid portion of thehandle illustrating the pivotal connection and latch mechanism therefor;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional View illustrating the pivotalconnection in assembled relation;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of a modified form of pivotal connectionemployed in the handle;

FIGURE 5 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the latch mechanismof FIGURE 4 in released position;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the latch mechanismof FIGURE 4 in released position and illustrating the sections of thehandle pivoted into angular relation;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmental side elevational view illustrating another formof the invention incorporating a prop member pivotally attached to thehandle;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the mop handle and prop illustratingthe manner of use.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generallydesignates the handle assembly of the present invention which for thepurposes of illustration is provided with a mop 12 as the implement towhich the handle is attached. It is pointed out that other implementsmay be attached to the handle since the handle has general utility. Asillustrated in FIGURE 1, when the handle 10 of the present invention isused, the mop 12 may be disposed within a bucket 14 or the like and thehandle assembly orientated in such a manner that no lateral or tippingpressure is exerted on the bucket thereby enabling the bucket 14 to bemaintained in upright condition and also the handle assembly supportsitself in such a manner that it is readily accessible to a person usingthe mop thereby eliminating stooping or bending to retrieve the mophandle.

The handle construction 10 includes a lower section 16 and an uppersection 18 which may also be considered inner section and outer sectionwhich are of any suitable configuration such as being constructed ofWood material, or the like of circular cross-sectional configuration.

At the outer end of the outer section 18, there is provided a T-shapedfoot Ztl having a covering of rubber or other similar material 22 whichwill engage the floor surface and prevent slippage of the outer end ofthe outer section 18 when the sections 16 and 18 are disposed in angularrelation as illustrated in FIGURE 1 and the T- shaped foot 20 engagedwith the floor surface. The T- shaped construction of the foot will alsoprovide adequate lateral stability to the handle lit to prevent it fromslipping sideways. 7

At the outer end of the inner section 16, there is provided a ferrule orcylindrical member 24- secured to the section 16 as by virtue of thedowel 26 or the like. The outer end of the ferrule 24 is provided with aprojection 28 connected thereto by a reduced neck 39. The projection 28is generally spherical but with flattened top and bottom portions andwith a major axis being defined perpendicularly to the longitudinal axisof the handle section 16. The outer section 18 is provided with ferruleor body 32 having a recess 34 therein with diverging surfaces adapted toreceive the projection 28. The ferrule 32 is pivotally connected to theferrule 24 by virtue of a hingle 36 secured to the respective ferrulesby screw threaded fasteners 38 or the like.

The ferrule 32 is provided with a longitudinal extension 40 received ina longitudinal bore 42 carried by the outer section 18. The longitudinalextension 4% has an elongated operating rod 4-4 slidably mountedtherein. The outer end of the rod 4-4 is provided with a laterallyextending handle 46 terminating in a knob 48 which is disposedexteriorly of the outer section 18 of the handle ll). The handle46 isslidably disposed in a longitudinal slot 50 formed in the outer handlesection 18 whereby engagement of the knob 43 will enable the operatingrod 44 to be moved longitudinally in relation to the ferrule 32.Disposed in the recess 34- is a pair of spring fingers 52 each havinghook-shaped end portions 54 for interlocking engagement with theknob-like projection 28. Slidable in relation to the fingers $2 is asleeve 56 connected with the operating rod 44 through a spring 58 and aplate 60 on the end of the operating rod 414. Thus, when the-operatingrod 44- is moved toward the spring fingers 52, the spring '58 will becompressed and the sleeve 56 moved towards the hook-shaped ends 54 ofthe fingers 52 thus urging the fingers 52 inwardly towards each otherfor bringing the hook-shaped ends 54 into interlocking engagement withthe knob-like projection 2 as illustrated in FIGURE 3. Thus, the fingers52. which are pivotally mounted within the longitudinal bore 42 in anysuitable manner will either release or grip the knob projection 28depending upon the position of the handle 46 thus retaining the handlesections 16 and 18 in rigid alignment or enabling the sections 16 and 18to swing to angular relation to each other as illustrated in thepositions of FIGURE 3 when in alignment and FIG- URE 2 when in angularrelation to each other.

FIGURES 4-6 illustrate another form of handle generally designated bythe numeral 79 and including an inner section 72 and an outer section74. The inner section has a ferrule '76 and the outer section has aferrule 78 both of which are attached by dowels 8t and 82 respectively.The ferrule 76 is provided with a generally concave free end 84 and apair of recesses or notches 86 are defined in the opposed edges thereof.The free end of the other ferrule 78 is provided with a recess 88 and apair of projecting ears 9% are provided which overlap and are receivedin the recesses 86 when the sections 72 and 74 are retained inalignment.

The concave end edge 84 is provided with a knob-like projection 92connected to the ferrule 76 by a reduced neck 94 and the recess 88 isprovided with a knob-like projection 96 connected to the ferrule 78 by areduced neck 98. The engaging surfaces of the knob-like projections arecomplementary with the knob-like projection 92 being convex and theknob-like projection 96 being concave thus providing an arcuate junctionsurface 1% as illustrated in FlGURE 5.

A normally U-shaped spring member 102 engages opposite surfaces of theknob-like projections 92 and 96 as illustrated in FIGURE 4 for retainingthe sections 72 and 74 in alignment. The spring is normally in the U-shaped condition as illustrated in FIGURE 2 but when the bight portionthereof is moved inwardly the ends of the spring spread outwardly to theposition illustrated in FIGURE 5. The inward movement of the bightportion of the spring 182 is accomplished by virtue of a plunger 1614having a knob 1616 on the outer end thereof and having a spring 1%interconnecting the plunger 104 and the bight portion of the spring 102whereby inward force on the bight portion will be accomplished by movingthe knobs or handles 106 inwardly thus spreading the ends of the spring102 into diverging relation as illustrated in FIGUURE thus enabling thesections to be moved apart from each other and also the convex surfaceof the knob-like projection 92 will move the ends of the springsoutwardly when the sections are moved into alignment from the positionillustrated in FIG- URE -6.

This form of the invention operates in substantially the same manner asthe form illustrated in FIGURES 1-3 and has the same general purposesand objects.

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrated a modified form of handle generallydesignated by numeral 110 which includes an elongated rigid handlemember 112 attached to a mop 114 or the like and which has a prop 116attached to a mid portion thereof by virtue of a hinge assembly 118which is recessed into a socket 120 in the handle 112.

A The prop 116 has a T-shaped foot 122 on the free end thereof forengaging the fioor surface and a covering of non-slip rubber material orthe like is attached to the T-shaped foot. This will provide lateralstability for the handle 112 and also prevents slipping thereof. Agenerally U-shaped spring clip 124 is attached to the prop 116 adjacentthe foot for detachable resilient engagement with the handle member 112adjacent the mop 114 or other implement whereby the prop 116 is normallydisposed alongside of the handle member 112 during normal use of theimplement but which will swing down and be retained perpendicularly tothe handle 112 when orientated in operative position. The hingestructure 118 is orientated in such a manner that the limit of movementof the prop 116 is in substantially perpendicular relation to the handlemember 112.

In each form of the invention, the handle is supported adjacent its midpoint in an inclined position so that it is readily accessible topersons using the implement. Further, the handle is of general utilityand may be used with many various types of implements.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art,it is not desired to limit theinvention to the exact construction and operation shown and described,and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may beresorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A handle assembly for a hand manipulated implement comprising anelongated handle member, and means forming a support for at least aportion of said handle member when the implement is not being used, saidsup- 7 port means being hingedly connected to said portion of the handlemember to be supported, a manual release means for the support means toenable the support means to swing about said hinged connection from aposition inoperative for supporting to a position operative forsupporting, said support means including at its extremity remote to theportion of the handle member being supported a T-shaped foot formed ofsuch material as prohibits slipping of the support means when in contactwith the surface on which the support means rests, said support meansincluding an outer section of the handle member pivotally connected toan inner section of the handle member for orientation in alignment withand in angular relation to each other, said manual release meansinterconnecting the sections of the handle member for rigidlymaintaining them in longitudinal alignment and releasing the outersection for orientation in angular relation to the inner section wherebythe foot on the outer extremity of the outer section may engage asupporting surface, said manual release means including a knob-likeprojection on one section, and manually operated fingers on the othersection for detachable gripping engagement with the knob-likeprojection.

2. A handle assembly for a hand manipulated implement comprising anelongated handle member, and means forming a support for at least aportion of said handle member when the implement is not being used, saidsupport means being hingedly connected to said portion of the handlemember to be supported, a manual release means for the support means toenable the support means to swing about said hinged connection from aposition inoperative for supporting to a position operative forsupporting, said support means including at its extremity remote to theportion of the handle member being supported a T-shaped foot formed ofsuch material as prohibits slipping of the support means when in contactwith the surface on which the support means rests, said support meansincluding an outer section of the handle member pivotally connected toan inner section of the handle member for orientation in alignment withand in angular relation to each other, said manual release meansinterconnecting the sections of the handle member for rigidlymaintaining them in longitudinal alignment and releasing the outersection for orientation in angular relation to the inner section wherebythe foot on the outer extremity of the outer section may engage asupporting surface, said manual release means securing the sections inalignment including a pair of knob-like projections normally disposed inengagement with each other, U-shaped springs engaging opposed portionsof the knoblike projections -for retaining them in engagement, and amanually operated plunger engageable with each of the U-shaped springsfor straightening the springs thereby releasing the ends thereof fromthe opposed portions of the knob-like projections.

3. A handle assembly for a hand manipulated implement comprising anelongated handle member, and means forming a support for at least aportion of said handle member when the implement is not being used, saidsupport means being hingedly connected to said portion of the handlemember to be supported, a manual release hibits slipping of the supportmeans when in contact with the surface on which the support means rests,said means for supporting the handle member including an elongated prop,means pivotally supporting the prop from a mid portion of the handlemember, a resilient clip on said prop adjacent the -free end thereof forengaging the handle member adjacent the implement for retaining the propalongside of the handle member.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said foot is providedwith a covering of friction producing material thereon for preventingslippage of the prop in relation to a supporting surface.

5. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said T-shaped footincludes a covering of friction producing material for preventingslippage thereof, each of said plungers including resilient meansinterconnecting the inner end of the plunger with the U -shaped springfor transmitting motion from the plunger to the U-shaped spring, saidplunger engaging the bight portion of the U-shaped spring for forcing itinwardly whereby the ends of the U-shaped spring will be forced awayfrom each other for releasing the knob-like projections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS146,727 Turner Jan. 20, 1874 1,134,214 Mitchell Apr. 6, 1915 1,182,139Brown May 9, 1916 1,445,968 Levenson Feb. 20, 1923 2,159,932 Muldoon May23, 1939

1. A HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR A HAND MANIPULATED IMPLEMENT COMPRISING ANELONGATED HANDLE MEMBER, AND MEANS FORMING A SUPPORT FOR AT LEAST APORTION OF SAID HANDLE MEMBER WHEN THE IMPLEMENT IS NOT BEING USED, SAIDSUPPORT MEANS BEING HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID PORTION OF THE HANDLEMEMBER TO BE SUPPORTED, A MANUAL RELEASE MEANS FOR THE SUPPORT MEANS TOENABLE THE SUPPORT MEANS TO SWING ABOUT SAID HINGED CONNECTION FROM APOSITION INOPERATIVE FOR SUPPORTING TO A POSITION OPERATIVE FORSUPPORTING, SAID SUPPORT MEANS INCLUDING AT ITS EXTREMITY REMOTE TO THEPORTION OF THE HANDLE MEMBER BEING SUPPORTED A T-SHAPED FOOT FORMED OFSUCH MATERIAL AS PROHIBITS SLIPPING OF THE SUPPORT MEANS WHEN IN CONTACTWITH THE SURFACE ON WHICH THE SUPPORT MEANS RESTS, SAID SUPPORT MEANSINCLUDING AN OUTER SECTION OF THE HANDLE MEMBER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TOAN INNER SECTION OF THE HANDLE MEMBER FOR ORIENTATION IN ALIGNMENT WITHAND IN ANGULAR RELATION TO EACH OTHER, SAID MANUAL RELEASE MEANSINTERCONNECTING THE SECTIONS OF THE HANDLE MEMBER FOR RIGIDLYMAINTAINING THEM IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT AND RELEASING THE OUTERSECTION FOR ORIENTATION IN ANGULAR RELATION TO THE INNER SECTION WHEREBYTHE FOOT ON THE OUTER EXTREMITY OF THE OUTER SECTION MAY ENGAGE ASUPPORTING SURFACE, SAID MANUAL RELEASE MEANS INCLUDING A KNOB-LIKEPROJECTION ON ONE SECTION, AND MANUALLY OPERATED FINGERS ON THE OTHERSECTION FOR DETACHABLE GRIPPING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE KNOB-LIKEPROJECTION.